Prevalence of Eye Defects Among Medical Students in Dominica

Authors

  • Moheem Masumali Halari Assistant Professor, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica
  • Chidambra Dhariwal Halari Dr. Chidambra Dhariwal Halari Assistant Professor, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica
  • Otohinoyi David Adeiza Medical Student, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica.
  • D'Souza Ryan Alex Francis Medical Student, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica.
  • Igberi Ugochi Calista Medical Student, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica.
  • Akanbi Hameed Ayotunde Medical Student, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica.

Keywords:

Eye Defects, Eye Diseases, Prevalence, Ophthalmology, Myopia, Hypermetropia, Astigmatism, Color Blindness, Medical Students, Medical Education, All Saints University School of Medicine, Dominica.

Abstract

This study therefore aimed at recognizing the prevalence of common eye defects such as myopia, hypermetropia, colour blindness (daltonism) and astigmatism as well as identifying various factors responsible for the occurrence of these visual defects. A total of 200 medical students (aged 14 to above 40 years) in Dominica were examined. Refractive error and colour blindness were checked by using standard rudimentary tests. Additional demographical data was obtained through self-administered questionnaire.

Among the students tested, 49.5% presented with at least one eye defect. Prevalence of myopia, hypermetropia, colour blindness and astigmatism were 61 (30.5%), 24 (12.0%), 6 (3.0%) and 67 (33.5%) respectively. The occurrence of eye defects among medical student tend to be alarming and student awareness scheme should be structured to help contain more cases of eye defect among medical students.

The rate of visual impairment has been on a steady increase with several implicating factors. This has led to a more detailed attention in the trend of occurrence of visual defects and diagnosis. Among several reports, it has been recorded that medical students tend to have the most reported visual defects among other professions. Medical schools at Singapore, Taiwan, Denmark and Norway showed prevalence of eye defects among their students at the rate of 89.8%, 90%, 50% and 50.3% respectively. 

Author Biographies

Chidambra Dhariwal Halari, Dr. Chidambra Dhariwal Halari Assistant Professor, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica

Assistant Professor,
Department of Anatomy and Clinical Skills

Otohinoyi David Adeiza, Medical Student, All Saints University School of Medicine, Hillsborough Street, P.o.box 1679, Roseau, Dominica.

Medical Student

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Published

2016-04-08

How to Cite

Halari, M. M., Halari, C. D., Adeiza, O. D., Francis, D. R. A., Calista, I. U., & Ayotunde, A. H. (2016). Prevalence of Eye Defects Among Medical Students in Dominica. American Scientific Research Journal for Engineering, Technology, and Sciences, 18(1), 133–141. Retrieved from https://asrjetsjournal.org/index.php/American_Scientific_Journal/article/view/1558

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Vol. 18 No. 1 (2016)

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